WordPress 7.0 Update

On the morning of Thursday, September 24th, UF Health Web Services will be updating your website to WordPress version 7.0 which will bring usability improvements, new color schemes for your dashboard, and some changes to core WordPress blocks.

Here is more information on some of the updates that may affect your experience:

Updated Admin Color Schemes

The dashboard default color scheme has been updated to provide more color contrast and better accessibility for users with colorblindness. If you would like to change your color scheme back to the previous color scheme, or another option, you can do so by editing your user profile on your website.

To edit your user profile:

1. Log in to your website
2. From the dashboard, hover your mouse over the “Howdy, [your name]” message in the upper right corner of your Dashboard.
3. Select the “Edit Profile” option.
4. On the profile page, select the color scheme you would like to use.
5. Click the “Update Profile” button at the bottom of the page to save your settings.

Note: Choose the “Fresh” color scheme to return to the previous default color scheme. Once your color scheme is updated, that update with show on any other websites you have access to and you will not need to repeat this process across other websites you have access to.

Rearranged Settings for Image block

The settings for the Image block are now placed behind three tabs for Content, Settings, and Options in the righthand panel when the block is selected. Alternative text can be entered through the Content tab. A new checkbox for “Mark as decorative” will be present in the tab as well. Our websites still require alternative text to remain in compliance with WCAG AA 2.1 standards and you will always be required to add a description of the image in the alternative text field for an image or else you will be blocked from being able to save your page.

Pre-selected Heading block Options

When choosing a block to add to your page or post, you now have two new pre-selected Heading block options. You can select a H2 or H3 heading in one click. These are both Heading blocks, but the heading size is pre-selected for you. You can choose another heading level after the inserting the block if needed. These options are visible when adding a new block through the plus sign icon that appears within the page content and won’t appear when using the plus sign icon in the upper left corner of the block editor.

Dashboard Search Tool

Just one click of the new Command Palette shortcut, a ⌘K or Ctrl+K icon in the upper admin bar, lets you search for tools and settings in your dashboard from anywhere in the dashboard. Trying searching for “widget” or “customize” and you will be guided to the settings for those options which are typically hidden in the submenu under Appearance.